Exploring the History of Spacewalks: From Triumphs to Trials
Spacewalks are truly amazing feats of human achievement, but they haven’t always gone smoothly. Astronauts and cosmonauts have faced many challenges, such as getting stuck, losing tools, and even nearly drowning in space.
The recent launch of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission could mark a new milestone in space travel: the first spacewalk by a private citizen.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman, who is funding much of the mission, plans to become the first non-professional astronaut to perform a spacewalk outside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
The mission aims to reach about 870 miles (1,400 km) high, making it the highest crewed flight since the Apollo missions over 50 years ago. Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis will conduct their spacewalk at a lower altitude of about 434 miles (700 km). However, because the Crew Dragon lacks an airlock, the capsule will need to be depressurized before they can exit, increasing the risk.
If successful, this spacewalk will join the ranks of historic and memorable spacewalks that have tested human endurance and innovation. Since Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov’s first spacewalk almost 60 years ago, astronauts have experienced a range of dramatic moments.
The First Spacewalk: On March 18, 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human to walk in space. His spacesuit became stiff in the vacuum of space, making movement difficult, and he struggled to re-enter the Voskhod 2 spacecraft. Despite the challenges, Leonov’s spacewalk marked a historic achievement.
The First American Spacewalk: On June 3, 1965, American astronaut Ed White stepped out of the Gemini 4 spacecraft, becoming the first American to perform a spacewalk. He used a hand-held jet gun to maneuver but had to rely on a tether after the jet ran out of fuel.
The First Space ‘Selfie’: In November 1966, astronaut Buzz Aldrin took what is considered the first “selfie” during a spacewalk on the Gemini XII mission. He used a camera mounted on the edge of the hatch to capture a memorable image of himself against the backdrop of Earth.
Untethered Spacewalk: In 1984, astronaut Bruce McCandless II performed a spacewalk without a tether, using a new nitrogen-propelled device called the Manned Manoeuvring Unit (MMU) to move around in space.
Space Salvage: In November 1984, astronauts Dale Gardner and Joseph Allen used the MMU to recover two faulty satellites in a historic space salvage mission. Gardner even humorously held up a “for sale” sign with one of the satellites.
Repairing the Hubble Telescope: In December 1993, astronauts performed a complex repair on the Hubble Space Telescope, with Kathryn Thornton setting a record for the longest time spent spacewalking by a U.S. woman.
The First Spacewalk in a Russian Suit: In April 1997, American astronaut Jerry Linenger performed a spacewalk in a Russian-made spacesuit, working alongside Russian cosmonauts on the Mir space station.
Building the ISS: In 1998, astronauts James Newman and Jerry Ross conducted three spacewalks to connect the first modules of the International Space Station, helping to create a structure that is still in use today.
Longest Single Spacewalk: In March 2001, astronaut Susan Helms set a record for the longest single spacewalk, spending nearly nine hours outside the ISS.
In-Orbit Repair: In July 2005, astronaut Stephen Robinson performed the first in-orbit repair on a space shuttle, addressing potential damage to the shuttle’s heat shield.
A Near-Drowning Incident: In July 2013, European astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned during a spacewalk when water leaked into his helmet. The incident led to important safety improvements in spacesuit design.
Each of these spacewalks highlights human courage and innovation, with lessons learned from past missions guiding future space exploration.
Only around 260 people have had the chance to walk in space so far, and as this number grows, so will the adventure of space exploration.
Credit : BBC